Police in West Milford NJ recently arrested a local man accused of stealing funds from a fire company.

According to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the 22-year-old suspect illegally took the funds while he served as treasurer for the West Milford Community Volunteer Fire Company No. 2. The suspect served as treasurer between 2013 and November 2015.

Authorities first became aware of the suspect’s alleged fraud and deception in late 2015. The suspect reportedly had access to the West Milford fire company’s bank accounts and had control over fire company funds.

Prosecutors are alleging the suspect stole funds, which he then used for his own personal gain.

The suspect, who resides in West Milford NJ, faces criminal charges for third degree theft by deception.

If the suspect is eventually convicted of theft by deception, he would be subject to significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, a person who uses deception to acquire between $500 and $75,000 can be charged with a third degree criminal offense. A conviction on third degree theft by deception charges could lead to a sentence of 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.

After being arrested and charged, the suspect was taken to the Passaic County Jail in Paterson, NJ. He was being held at the correctional facility in lieu of $35,000 bail.

For more information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Volunteer Firefighter Accused of Stealing from N.J. Fire Company.”